Top 5 Out Of 200 Driver Monitoring Startups In Automotive

We analyzed 200 Driver Monitoring startups in the automotive industry. Sighthound, Optalert, CardioID, Edge3, and Sober Steering are our 5 picks to watch out for. To learn more about the global distribution of these 5 and 195 more startups, check out our Heat Map!

Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups in the automotive industry. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share some of our insights with you. So, let’s take a look at promising Driver Monitoring solutions for the automotive industry.

Sighthound – Facial Tracking: Face Recognition, Emotion Recognition

In-car intelligence uses facial tracking to monitor a driver’s attention. More precisely, it’s about tracking factors such as drowsiness and fatigue, which are the leading causes when it comes to road accidents. Sighthound, a US-based startup, develops artificial intelligence-driven computer vision technology to monitor the interior of vehicles and provide driver assistance.

Optalert – Eye-Tracking: Measuring Drowsiness & Fatigue

A driver’s attention, health status, and energy level are essential components of driving safely. Monitoring and alerting a driver in time, in case any of the aforementioned components are off, can prevent road accidents from happening. Startups working on driver monitoring solutions develop facial tracking techniques — for example tracking a driver’s eye movement, as they are a great indicator of measuring one’s level of distraction. Optalert’s eyelid-tracking technology monitors and alerts the driver as soon as “micro-sleeps” start to occur. This prediction is possible in an early stage, before experiencing performance failures.

Sober Steering – Biometrics: Alcohol Detection

Besides computer vision technologies, gaining access to unique physical and behavioral characteristics of a driver can be obtained through biological sensors, namely via biometrics. A Canadian startup called Sober Steering develops a sensor pad which is installed in the steering wheel and notifies the driver when alcohol is detected. This takes away the “guesswork” of when driving under the influence.

CardioID – Biometrics: Heart-Rate Monitoring

Another use case of driver assistance systems using biometrics is heart rate monitoring. CardioID, a startup from Portugal, introduced ‘Cardiowheel’, which implements an electrocardiogram (ECG) that continuously monitors the driver’s heart rate through the steering wheel’s grip. The pulse of the driver is measured via their hands thus cardiac health problems and drowsiness can be detected. Usually, measuring one’s heart rate requires an external device, which in this case is already configured in the steering wheel.

Edge3 – In-Cabin Intelligence: Occupant Monitoring

Driver Monitoring, in this case, focuses on the passengers in a vehicle. In the case of an accident, this in-cabin technology detects whether a person is sitting on the passenger seat and can prevent an accidental airbag explosion, as well as adjust to the passenger’s age, weight, and other attributions to reduce the risk of injuries. Edge3, a US-based startup, provides Artificial Intelligence-based cabin-monitoring for drivers, passengers, and other personal items during a trip.

What About The Other 195 Solutions?

While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 5 Driver Monitoring startups showcased above are promising examples out of 200 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.